Arroyo cites anti-poverty gains on EDSA 2 anniversary

from The ABS

In commemoration of EDSA 2, President Arroyo said on Saturday that significant gains have been achieved in the country's over-all development, especially in alleviating poverty, since she assumed Presidency in 2001, following the ouster of former president Joseph Estrada.

In an official statement, she said “My thought for today on this EDSA Dos anniversary is the satisfaction of having done what I could for the good of the nation. The past has carried heavy trials but great triumphs for the people. I am but an instrument of their most ardent aspirations. I face the day sharing the hopes of those families who have been lifted from poverty and I promise to do better if I can.

President Arroyo said that it is now "social payback" time meaning people will start feeling the benefit of the "effective implementation of economic reforms by her administration."

Mrs. Arroyo added that the country is no longer the weak link in the fight against terror, referring to the recent victories of the military against the Abu Sayyaf Group which resulted in the killing of two of its top leaders, Khadaffy Janjalani and Abu Solaiman.

“The momentum is ours. We must keep and drive it forward with our solidarity and hard work, building peace and reconciliation along the way, in every nook and cranny of this great land,” she said.

Mrs. Arroyo also said that it is high time for Filipinos to experience the strengthening of the economy and the wealth of its government.

She said that the year started good for the nation’s economy - with the large inflow in capital and slow inflation rate, which improved dramatically if compared to those of the previous years. Income from export trades have also escalated and exceeded its target.

She added that the administration is committed in pushing for the Philippines’ economic recovery in 2007, which will result to better education, health and employment.

Six years have passed since the historic EDSA 2 took place at the EDSA Shrine in Ortigas City. Along with the years, its glamour and relevance seemed to have faded. People did not bother to unite in celebration of the day marked in Philippine history.

According to some political analysts, the people’s loss of enthusiasm might have been triggered by the President’s failure in carrying out most of her political, economic and election reforms.

Analysts added that people have lost their faith in the administration due to the election fraud that happened during the last presidential election.